Interpol chief to be named in Dubai
1,000 delegates from 173 nations including 85 police chiefs and 40 ministers at conference
We are working together with our partners to secure the world. We will continue to work together, until we triumph over terrorism and crime.’’
Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed | Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
Anew Interpol chief is all set to be elected on Thursday during the four-day Interpol General Assembly that got under way today in Dubai.
The Interpol General Assembly will also vote for the Executive Committee posts for the Americas, Asia and European regions on the final day of the conference. Dubai became the first city in the region to hold the prestigious conference, bringing together around 1,000 representatives from 173 countries, including 85 police chiefs and 40 ministers.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, opened the conference at Madinat Jumeirah.
Delivering the inaugural address of the 87th General Assembly, Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said: “The UAE Government is always keen to develop the cooperation with Interpol and international partners. We are working together with our partners to secure the world by promoting the organisation’s initiatives and projects. We will continue to work together until we triumph over terrorism and crime.”
The UAE will continue to support its international partners in the war against terrorism to secure the world, Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said.
“The UAE government is always keen to develop the cooperation with Interpol and international partners. We are working together with our partners to secure the world by promoting the organisation’s initiatives and projects. We will continue to work together, until we triumph over terrorism and crime,” Shaikh Saif said during his opening speech at the 87th Interpol General Assembly in Dubai yesterday.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, opened the Interpol General Assembly conference at Madinat Jumeirah.
Dubai is the first city in the region to hold this prestigious conference. Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, was also present.
“The UAE will always support its international partners in the war on terrorism,” Shaikh Saif reiterated.
He praised Interpol’s efforts which helped identify nearly 40,000 terrorists and around 118,000 stolen vehicles worldwide last year. Interpol also identified more than 5,600 child sex offenders.
“The assembly aims to make the world a safer place by connecting police departments of countries around the world,” he noted.
Bringing together nearly 1,000 official representatives from 173 countries, including 85 police chiefs and nearly 40 ministers, the four-day conference will address how technology will change future threats and how it can be used by law enforcement to meet these challenges.
With more than 55 per cent of the world’s population having internet access, criminals are increasingly going after data as a means to make money, as shown by recent ransomware attacks.
The increased use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics, as well as innovation in the field of forensics are also key issues up for discussion.
Kim Jong-yang, Interpol’s senior vice-president, praised the UAE for hosting the international police cooperation’s largest event and affirmed that Interpol is set for the next course of its work in addressing transnational crime and terrorism.
“In the age of unprecedented information exchange, police the world over are increasingly facing new challenges. Gathering best practices with an international model, Interpol provides a neutral, well-connected platform,” Yang said.
Discussing cooperation
Interpol’s secretary-general Jurgen Stock and Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said that delegates will identify the most important challenges, explore the future role of technology and AI in the fight against terrorism and organised crime, and discuss how to enhance cooperation to make the world a safer place.
“The UAE’s membership in Interpol is one of our most important working relationships. This year’s attendance is unprecedented, which is a reflection of the UAE’s ability to host major international events,” Maj Gen Al Merri said in a joint press conference ahead of the assembly.
Interpol’s secretary-general said partnerships with regional bodies played an important role in developing a strong global security architecture.
“With increased pressure on law enforcement resources, we must avoid duplication of efforts if we are to work effectively in making the world a safer place,” Stock said. “We will discuss the complex terrorism and crime threats which affect us all, and to address future challenges. Interpol’s databases contain 93 million records and they are being checked up to 200 times per second.”
Between November 18 and 21, delegates will also be updated on Interpol’s three crime programmes: counter-terrorism, cybercrime and organised and emerging crime, as well as linked operational successes.
Applications for membership from Kiribati, Kosovo and Vanuatu will be considered by the General Assembly, which will also vote for a new president along with Executive Committee posts for the Americas, Asia and Europe regions on the final day of the conference.